Buoy.



. Patented Nov. [3, I900. G. l. BERG.

-. No. 66|,573.I

, BUOY. (Apylicatio'n filed July '22, 1897.)

(No Model.)

R 0 u N E V N "m: Norms erms cu. FHOTOUTHO: WASHINGTON. nv c.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES I. BERG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BUQY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 661,573, dated November 13, 1900.

Application filed July 22, 1897. :b'erial No. 645.562. (N0 model.)

1b 00% whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that 1, CHARLES I. BERG, of

New York, in the State of- New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improve-' Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in .which similar charactersof reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is an elevation of my device. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Figs. 3 and 4 are end elevations of the two separable parts of the buoy, and Fig. 5 is a section showing the joint between sections of the buoy more in detail.

Itis desirable incase of accidents to ships as, for instance, in case of a ship foundering at sea-that some means be provided by which the records of the ship or any messages desired may be inclosed within a buoyor float, which shall be of such character that it will remain a long time upon the surface of the water, unless sooner picked up or blown to land, and which may be able to carry such records or messages. The device herein shown is a preferred form, although it is evident that the shape of the buoy might be varied from that herein shown without departing from the spirit of the invention. As herein illustrated the device is in the form of a figure of rotation which is much longer than its diameter, being pointed at each end. This is divided into the two sections E and E,

the plane of division being near the center of the length of the body and substantially at right angles to its longest dimension. At

about the center of the length of the body is attached a vane or disk A, which extends radially about the body and in a plane substantially at right angles to its longest dimension. Each of the sections E and E is composed of two concentric shells, the two shells :6 aud o forming the larger part E of the body, and the two shells e and e forming the smaller part E of the body. The two shells of each part are joined at the end where the two parts are united, so as to form an annular air-space which will act as a float to sustain the body, even if the interior space :should become filled with water. It will be observed that each part is composed of inner and outer shells when separated, and it will also be observed that when the parts are assembled there are twoindependentair-spaces, so that should the outer shell be pierced it .willnot afiect the integrity of one of the air-spaces. The two concentric shells also strengthen the body materially and make it easier to maintain awater-tight joint between the two halves, and thus to prevent the ingress of water to the interior chamber. The outer shell, even if dented or battered by contact with rocks upon a beach, will protect the inner shell and make it more probable that the inner shell be kept uninjured and the interior chamber water-tight. The body of the buoy would ordinarily be constructed of some metal, preferably'of some such metal as copper or aluminium, which is not affected by contact with the salt water. The parts E and E of the body are herein shown as provided, respectively, with ribs B and B, and from the latter a number of arms G project inwardly, forming flanges adapted to engage lugs G secured to the other part E of the body. The inner surfaces of the flanges or arms G which engage the inner side of the lugs G are inclined so that as the two parts are turned relative to each other they are drawn tightly together. This construction is similar to the bayonet joint which is often used to join similar parts together.

It is evident that various other fastening means might be substituted for that shown and described without affecting my invention, the means described being given to show a desirable and convenient construction.

Upon the end of one of the parts of the buoy, as the part E, where it abuts upon the other part, and between the outer and inner shells, is formed an annular groove, within which is placed a yielding packing-ring G,

which is engaged by the. end of the other half it tends to keep its longest diameter at right angle to the wind and to presenta maximum resistance to the water, thus reducing drift by the action of the wind to a minimum and keeping the buoy as near as possible Stationary. As the vane or disk extends deep in the water, it will resist drifting when the buoy presents its end to the wind. The-buoy is designed to be painted or otherwise made of such a color or colors as will make it a conspicuous object and one which wouldbe readily noticed at a distance. Its shape is also such as is designed to make it readily visible at a distance. The buoy is-designed to be of such weight relative to its displacement-that it will float high in the water and will consequently be readily seen from a distance. The vane or disk A being placed in the position relative to the body of the buoy as shown in the drawings will present its larger area to the observer at the time when the smallest area of the buoy proper is presented to-the observer. By reason of these facts the'device will present a large visible area whatever the position of the buoy relative to the observer. If the buoy is lying horizontally, either the vane or disk A or the body of the buoy will be plainly visible. Should the buoy float'with one end downward, the upper projecting end will be plainly'visible.

As shown in Fig. 1, it is designed that the surface of the buoy be divided into sections C and D, which will be made of contrasting colors, as may also the ribs B B. These zones or sections, as well as the ribs and the disk, may have their-colors arranged according to any desired code, so as to indicate the nation-- ality of the ship, its ownership, its class,

- whether sail or steam, and, in fact, any information of that character desired, so that such information may be obtained by a mere glance at the buoy. The disk A thus serves a useful purpose in addition to making the buoy visible when the body thereof present-s the'jsmallest area to the observer.

The form of connection adopted for the two halves of the buoy is one which enables the buoy to be quickly opened and closed after receiving its contents and one which will also enable the two parts to be firmly drawn together and a tight joint thus secured, while at thev same time reducing the possibility of accidental opening through concussion or rotation due to being tossed by the waves.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent Since the radial vane or disk is perpendicu lar to the longest diameter of the buoy,

1. A disaster-buoy consisting of a hollow metal body formed in two parts and provided with interlocking and securing flanges having cam or wedge surfaces adapted to draw the parts tightly together when the two parts are given relative rotation, and a radial vane or disk extending about the buoy, substantially as described.

2.. An elongated buoy adapted to float horizontally and having a vane or disk substantially as described, projecting above the same in a single. plane, said vane being adapted by the action of the wind thereon to determine the position of the buoy with relation to the wind.

3. A disaster-buoy consisting of a. hollow metal body formedlin two partsand-provided with interlocking and securing flangeshaving cam or wedge surfaces adapted to draw the parts tightly together when: the twoparts are given relative rotation, and a radial vane or disk extending about the buoy substantially perpendicular to its-longest dimension, substantially as described.

4. A disaster-buoy consisting of a. hollow metal body form ed in two parts and provided with interlocking and securing flanges having cam or wedge surfaces adapted. to draw the parts tightly togetherwhen the two parts are given relative rotation, one of said parts having. an annular recess-in its joining end and a compressible ring insaidrecess adapted to be engaged by theend of theother part to form a water-tight. joint, substantially as described.

5.. The combination with an elongated buoy adapted to freely float with its axis or longest dimension horizontally, and. an annular vane substantially as described extending about the buoy in a plane substantially perpendicular to its-axis or longest-dimension.

6. A disaster-buoy having a radial. vane or disk extending about it substantially perpendicular to its longest dimensiomsaid vane or disk being mounted eccentricallyupon the buoy whereby it acts to keep one side of the buoy upward-at all times, substantially'asdescribed.

7. A disaster-buoy composed of inner and outer shells and divided into two-separable parts provided with locking'means for securing them tightly together, and a radial disk surrounding the buoy and extending substantiallyperpendicular to the longest di mensionof the buoy, substantially as described.

8. A disaster-buoy composed of inner and outer shells and divided into twov separable parts provided: with locking means for. secur-.

IIO

tion plane being substantially central of the sion, and a radial projecting vane secured to one section adjacent to and substantially parallel with the junction plane of the two sections.

name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES I. BERG. Witnesses:

PIERSON L. WELLS,

LEO WYLER.

buoy and perpendicular to its longest dimen- [5 In testimony whereof I have signed my 20 

